"Earlier, I would try to infer the ailment of a hearing impaired patient on my own but I realised it isn't the ideal way to diagnose and treat. So I learned sign language," Hashmi told TOI. Sign language involves manual communication-hand gestures or facial expression-to convey meaning instead of sound patterns.

Dr Hashmi said she sees no more than two hearing impaired patients at the hospital. But she visits schools and NGOs to create awareness about oral hygiene among disabled children.

In India, 0.4% of 1065.40 million children are either deaf or hard of hearing. Experts said more doctors with special skills are required to deal with such children.

According to Dr Mahesh Verma, director and principal of MAIDS, the hospital plans to set up a separate clinic for children with special needs .

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